I have used resistance training for most of my adulthood to strengthen myself physically. But, little did I know that, for me, this type of training would also contribute to my mental and spiritual development.
Over the years, I have come to realize that the resistance we impose on ourselves through physical exercise, for example, is a natural part of life. Somehow in deliberately and purposely allowing the body to undergo stress during recreational periods, we also allow ourselves to rehearse the physiological changes we would actually experience under pressure, thus preparing us for real life crises. Perhaps, then, it is the increased beating of my heart and the summoning of all my energies as I suit up, putting on my lifting belt and gloves to move the weight, which have driven me to continue to train over these years. The experience is a tinted mixture of anxiety blended with excitement that comes with the sense of achievement at the end.
However, there have been times I have wondered why I have challenged myself in this way. For instance, I remember that summer when I returned to the Bahamas, where I am from, for a bodybuilding competition and was working out, preparing to do a conventional deadlift. At the time, I must not have weighed any more than 127 pounds as I positioned myself to lift 180 pounds. As a middle-aged lady was passing by she asked, “Why [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][sic] you lifting all that weight? You must be getting ready for the Olympics, eh?” Like a flash of lightening it dawned on me that I had never thought to ask myself this question. For a split second I felt foolish. I was somewhat embarrassed that I actually looked ridiculous to be working out for no significant reward except to compete in an amateur bodybuilding competition. Though ridiculous to some it may have been, I was preparing my body, mind and spirit for resistance.
There are different types of resistance. In the book, In Search of the Heart, author David Allen, M.D., identifies four kinds of resistance: resistance from our own emotions, resistance from negative thinking patterns or bad habits, resistance from family and friends and resistance from spiritual forces of evil.
Resistance from our Own Emotions
In that gym in the Bahamas, it was not the lady who was the resistance. The resistance became my own doubts and even a little bit of shame. Was it a waste of time and energy? Did I look foolish lifting all of that weight? Would she have made this comment to a man? Thankfully, I had enough sense to remove her from my thoughts and continue my training. However, I never forgot those feelings and having to confront and conquer them.
Resistance from Negative Thinking Patterns or Bad Habits
When a negative thought comes, we can continue to feed or starve it. If you starve a negative thought by not giving it the attention, it eventually goes. But it is even better when you have a thought that is positive and powerful to replace the negative when it goes. When I was training, my work out partner and I would always say “light weight” upon lifting our maximum weight to encourage each other. We were making a mental shift. The negative would have been to focus on the actual weight, but the positive was to believe that the weight was light. It is always the belief that is stronger not what is seen. Perhaps, this gives ‘light’ to the words, “We walk by faith and not by sight”. Resistance resides in our thought life. However, resistance, as many of us can attest, can come from family members and friends.
Resistance from Family and Friends
To train the body with resistance, such as weights, is one thing; to compete in a bodybuilding competition is another story all together. Ask my mother. Bodybuilding was not a competition; it was an exhibition that no Christian young woman should be a part of, she said. I, however, trusted my heart; it was pure. I loved what God was allowing me to discover on this new journey at the time—about His wonderful creation, the body. I had His approval, and that’s all that seemed to matter.
Resistance from Spiritual Forces
Concerned parents speak out of fear at times. However, most of the time, that is the wrong place to speak from. But that does not suggest there is no reason for caution. There is real danger out there and even sheer evil. Women and children, in particular, and even today in many countries continue to be vulnerable to certain violence against their bodies. They are looked at and treated as objects. As spirit beings we are all the same, created in the image of God. We, too, have a plan and purpose for our lives that we must fulfill despite the forces out there. These types of forces must be fought with spiritual weapons, such as the disciplines of prayer and the reading of the Word of God.
Resistance is natural. It is all around us like gravity. We have to prepare for it physically, mentally and spiritually, so that when in the face of resistance, it is not what happens that matters the most but what happens inside of us.
My muscles are growing. I am getting stronger. I subject myself to this resistance now, so I can prepare to be fit for the real event.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
